Astronomical device



March 13, 1962 P. B. SHARPE 3,024,542

'ASTRONOMICAL DEVICE Filed Nov. 14, 1958 2 SheetsSheet 1 INVENTOR 1, 0 5. ,SHHEPE March 13, 1962 P. B. SHARPE 3,024,542

ASTRONOMICAL DEVICE Filed Nov. 14, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR fH/A ma; HHEPEI 3,024,542 ATRONGMHCAL DEVICE Philip B. Sharpe, Rockport, Maine Filed Nov. 14, 1958, Ser. No. 773,937 3 Claims. (Cl. 35-47) This invention relates to an astronomical globe. More specifically, the present invention relates to an astronomical globe known as armillary sphere which is an apparatus for illustrating certain astronomical phenomena, and particularly the relation of sun, earth and stars at different seasons and under different latitudes.

The physical sciences have long been appreciated for their value contributed to the forward march of civilization. Probably no physical science has been studied more carefully from earliest times than the wonderful science of astronomy. Down through the ages man has speculated on the nature of his earthly surroundings. It is only with the advent of the teachings of Copernicus that man has finally been able to determine his own relative position in the breadth of the infinite cosmos. Furthermore, it has only been with the invention of the telescope that many of Copernicus theories have been more clearly corroborated.

While excellent studies have been made in at last giving man the sorely needed knowledge as to his status, this knowledge has been difficult to easily teach the vast populace. Among the many difficulties associated with this inability to communicate can be found in the fact that astronomy deals with or operates in three dimensions. Additionally, the concepts in the science of astronomy are ditficult to assimilate because of our own earths position which must be considered relative to anything else in the universe.

Consequently, a primary object of the present invention is to provide as astronomical device which is simple and efliciently constructed and adapted to facilitate the study of astronomy.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an astronomical device which will quickly and readily illustrate the apparent motion of the sun for any point on the device and at any time of the year.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an astronomical device which is constructed to simulate the view of the universe as may be had from the earth.

Additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following description and accompanying drawings.

In particular, the invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which,

FIGURE 1 is a side view of a construction of one embodiment of the present invention,

FIGURE 2 illustrates the end portion of the rest of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 3 is a perspective of another embodiment of the present invention,

FIGURE 4 is a perspective of yet another embodiment of the present invention.

Now, turning to the drawings, particularly, to FIG- URE l where the preferred embodiment is illustrated reference numeral ltl indicates, generally, the astronomical globe of the present invention. The globe is constructed of a plastic-like material which may be translucent or clear. The globe is mounted on a shaft 11 which consists of a number of individual parts in order to facilitate the construction and mounting of the device. The shaft 11 represents the axis of apparent rotation of the universe. One end of shaft 11 is equipped with a lag screw 12 which more particularly is part of ornamentation arrowhead 13. A rod-shaped member 14 3,024,542 Patented Mar. 13, ISSZ screws into a suitable ball arrangement 15 which fits into socket arrangement 16 located in the confluence of the base of the arrowhead 13. Suitable set screws 17 and 18 are adapted to hold the ball end 15 in locking position. It will be appreciated that the ball 15 and socket 16 together comprise a universal joint which may be suitably locked at a desired position. The other end of rod-like member 14 screws into a spherical mirror 18 which is centered in the globe 10. Rod-like member 19 screws into the other side of spherical mirror 18 so that members 14 and 19 together comprise shaft 11. An arrowtail 20 is suitably aflixed to the other end of rod-like member 19. The arrowtail can be seen in FIG- URE 2.

It will be appreciated that the shaft 11 passes through suitable holes in globe 10. In order to retain the globe in the desired position on shaft 11 and so that the spherical mirror remains in the center thereof suitable mounting means 21, shown generally, are provided at each hole. In FIGURE 1 the mounting means 21 are partly exploded to afford a clearer view of the arrangement. A rubber gasket 22 fits snugly in each hole. A cupshaped washer 23 is positioned on the rubber gasket 22. On the other side of the washer 23 a collar 24 is brought thereagainst. The collar 24 has a set screw 25 which may be tightened in order to prevent movement by the collar and thereby prevent the globe 10 from moving from its position. This arrangement prevents the entrance of any undesired foreign matter into the globe 10 and at the same time prevents it from turning. As an alternate arrangement the cup washers may be permanently affixed to the shaft 11 at suitable places and the collars may then be eliminated. The parts would under such circumstances be tightened and the globe sealed by screwing the shaft pieces, that is, rod-like members 14 and 15! into spherical mirror 18.

The globe itself is equipped with a number of markings in order to give it teaching efficacy. These markings may be accomplished by etching the globe in order to produce depressions which are suitably filled with color-. ing matter. Another method to produce the desired markings would be to lithograph the markings on the surface of the globe. To illustrate the markings attention is directed to reference numeral 26 which designates the celestial equator, which naturally circumscribes a circle. Reference numeral 27 designates an ellipsoid. Additionally, reference numeral 28 designates a com plementary ellipsoid. The Tropic of Cancer is portrayed by circle 29 while the oppositely disposed circle 30 illustrates the Tropic of Capricorn. Reference numeral 31 designates the Arctic Circle while reference numeral 32 designates the oppositely disposed Antarctic Circle. Hemisphere marking 33 designates the celestial prime meridian. The lower hemisphere marking 34 designates the solstitial colure. It will be also appreciated that circle 29 also refers to the vernal equinox and circle 30 also refers to the autumnal equinox. The point at which upper shaft 11 intersects globe 10 is the North Celestial Pole while the oppositely disposed position is the South Celestial Pole.

The celestial equator 26 is represented by a Wide translucent band which acts as a screen to show the shadow of the shaft which it impinges on the globe. The band either the actual North Celestial Pole or the actual South Celestial Pole. Once the arrowhead has been suitably secured, the shaft 11 is then screwed into the ball 15. Since the ball 15 forms part of a universal joint, the shaft may be further positioned to establish a correct alignment. Once the shaft has been correctly positioned setscrews are then tightened on the ball 15.

It is pointed out that the shaft may be sighted on the North Star, Polaris, since it only differs by 1 /2 degrees from the earths Celestial North Pole.

In operation the globe of the present invention, when suitably positioned, will by means of shaft 11 produce a shadow on sunny days which traverses the equator. -By suitably providing graduations on the equator band it will be possible to establish time in much the manner of a sun dial. The earth being represented by a spherical mirror 18 is in a position to reflect images of constellations at nighttime when the sky is clear. The globe is set up to reflect an accurate rendition of the position of the various constellations in relation to their actual position with the earth.

The globe makes an extremely attractive decorative piece when mounted in a garden or other locality. To further increase the attractiveness of the globe, a coating may be given to the globe in order to give an iridescence to the globe. Furthermore, the globe itself may be constructed of transparent colored plastic.

In the other embodiment shown in FIGURE 3 a disk 41 is suitably mounted on a shaft 42. The shaft 42 is secured at one end to an arrowhead 43 of the same type employed for the first embodiment. An arrowtail is mounted to the other end of the shaft 42. The disc 41 is preferably constructed of a transparent or translucent plastic material. The shaft 42 when suitably mounted also is parallel to the earths axis of rotation in the same manner as with the first embodiment. The outer periphery, thusly, represents the equator as before but does not have the two oppostiely disposed hemispheres. The shaft also represents the Celestial North and Celestial South Poles. The disk is divided into 24 subdivisions radiating from shaft 42 in 15 degree increments. It is possible to use the arrangement presented as a sun dial by following the shadow produced by shaft 42 on clear sunny days.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention attention is directed to FIGURE 4. It will be observed therefrom that reference numeral 51 represents a semicircular ring. The upper portion of the ring is almost closed by wedge shaped elongated members 52 and 53 which extend inwardly from ring 51. An open slit 54 separates the two members. The ring 51 is mounted at its lowermost end to means 55 which permits universal movement of the ring 51. By facing the slit in a northward direction in the way that the shaft was done in connection with the previous embodiments a unique sun dial may thereby be constructed. Instead of permitting a shadow to fall on the inner periphery of the ring as results when a shaft is employed, a light streak strikes the ring. Time may be determined by marking the inside of the equator representing ring into 15 degree divisions to give hour graduations. By further division fractions of the hour may be determined.

While herein has been illustrated and described the preferred forms of construction for carrying the present invention into effect, these are capable of variation and modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. The invention, therefore, should not be limited to the precise details of construction set forth but rather should be construed within the variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An astronomical device comprising a light transmitting globe, said globe being mounted on a shaft, said shaft having a universal coupling at one end, said coupling being accomplished with means for mounting the astronomical device, means on said globe indicating an equator when the shaft represents an axis of rotation, means on said globe indicating the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, means on said globe indicating the Arctic and Antarctic Circles, means on said globe indicating at least one ellipsoid circle connecting at its periphery the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn and a spherical mirror within the globe having an identical center as said globe.

2. A device for facilitating the understanding of astronomical phenomena comprising an elongated shaft, means forming a longitudinal extension of one end of the shaft for engagement with a support, a hollow spherical member rotatably mounted on said shaft, a relatively small spherical member mounted on the shaft and having a center coincidental with the center of the hollow spherical member, said small spherical member having a reflective outer surface and representing the position of earth in the celestial universe, said hollow spherical member having markings thereon indicating established reference lines, said hollow spherical member being transparent whereby the shaft will form a shadow on at least one of the markings for providing a time dial when said one of the reference lines is provided with graduations.

3. A demonstration device for simulating the relation of components of the celestial universe comprising an enlarged hollow transparent sphere having markings thereon indicating established reference lines with at least one of said reference lines having graduations thereon, a sectional shaft extending through said transparent member and extending between the celestial poles, means on said shaft rotatably journaling the transparent sphere thereon and sealing the interior of the sphere to prevent entry of foreign material, an extension on one end of said shaft, a mounting member forming an extension of said shaft extension and engaging a support, universal connecting means interconnecting the mounting means and the shaft extension for orientation of the shaft and the shaft extension whereby the shaft may be orientated in a position representing the axis of apparent rotation of the universe, means locking the universal connection between the shaft extension and the mounting member in adjusted position, a small spherical member disposed interiorly of the transparent member and having a center coincident therewith, the outer sections of said shaft being screw threaded into said small spherical member for retaining the spherical member in place and serving to frictionally retain the transparent spherical member in rotatably adjusted position, the exterior surface of said small spherical member being reflective to reflect images of constellations at nighttime thus indicating the relative position of constellations to the earth simulated by the small spherical member, one of said reference lines on the transparent spherical member being trans lucent and representing a celestial equator and having the graduations thereon thus acting as a screen to show the shadow of the shaft when it impinges on the transparent member when the sun is shining thereon.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 227,713 Arkell et a1 May 18, 1880 2,349,515 Oberst May 23, 1944 2,358,075 Kissinger Sept. 12, 1944 2,412,130 Crouch Dec. 3, 1946 2,515,401 Dupler July 18, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 12,305 Great Britain Aug. 12, 1893 

